Parasaurolophus, a 4-ton, plant eating dinosaur, had a bill like a duck and a head crest like a giant woodpecker. One of the strangest looking beasts of any age, it also had the ability to blow air through its crest and make honking noises that probably sounded something like a trombone.
Hard Lipped: Stripping leaves from plants kept this dinosaur's belly full, and it was well equipped for the task. Its flattened beak was as hard as bone, making short work of foliage.
No Dentists Needed: Like many modern herbivores, parasaurolophus' teeth were consistently replaced throughout its life. Chewing on so much vegetation grinds teeth down quickly, but the new ones emerged as the old ones wore out.
The Prehistoric Horn Blower[]
The first parasaurolophus fossil (shown right) was found in Canada in 1920. Other fossils were found in New Mexico and Utah.
Parasauralophus' large crest was hollow, and contained passages that ran to the nostrils and the roof of the mouth. These were likely resonating chambers that produced a low rumbling or a honking sound when air was blown through them. Scientists even think that the species was identifiable by the unique sound it made.
Stick Together: As a way of avoiding attacks from predators like T-rex, parasaurolophus lived in huge herds of up to 10,000 beasts.
Tail Dragging: Parasaurolophus' long tail helped give it balance when it stood on its hindlegs. The dinosaur also probably used its tail to help swim.
Family Crests[]
- Parasaurolophus walkeri had a medium-sized crest, and may have had a flap of skin that ran from the middle of it to the head. This was the first of three parasaurolophus species to be discovered.
- P. tubicen had the longest crest of the three species. The hollow tubes in the crest would have produced a low, deep sound.
- P. cyrtocrystatus had the smallest crest, which would have made a very high-pitched sound. Some thing these may have been females instead of a separate species.
Trivia[]
- The species featured on the main illustrations of the card is Parasaurolophus walkeri.
- The parasaurolophus is featured in Fossil Finders on Monster Mania 7.
- The photo of the dino's fossil on the back of the knowledge card is used for the game.